BMW confirmed the plans to make an X7 crossover after years of speculation and rumours.

BMW announced plans to invest $1B (EUR726.8/PS601.5 million) in their Spartanburg plant, South Carolina to increase annual production to 450,000 units before the end 2016.

The new X7 will be made exclusively at the plant. Part of the extra production capacity will be used to build the all-new model. BMW did not have any information about the model, but earlier reports indicated that it would be a seven-seat crossover and will launch in 2017 or 2018. The X7 is not expected to be on the same platform as the next generation 5- or 7 Series.

BMW also announced the X7 and confirmed that it will produce an X5 hybrid plug-in at its plant in the “near Future”. The Concept X5 eDrive showed the model and featured a TwinPower Turbo four cylinder petrol engine, an electrical motor and an xDrive all wheel drive system. The crossover could accelerate from 0-100 km/h within seven seconds and average approximately 3.8 L/100 km (61.9 mpg US/74.3 mpg UK), and can travel as much as 30 km (18.6 mi) using electricity.